WELSH rugby is being given £3m of National Lottery cash to help spark player development

WELSH rugby is being given #3m of National Lottery cash to help spark the most radical overhaul of player development in its history.

The cash will be used to set up regional academies across the five regions and establish a network of centres of excellence along New Zealand lines.

Around #1.5m is being spent on the new national academy at Island Farm, Bridgend. A further #500,000 each will go on setting up new bases for the Gwent Dragons at Nash Point, Newport and for the Neath- Swansea team at Llandarcy.

It is understood Cardiff Blues and Llanelli Scarlets will share the remaining #500,000.

The aim is to identify the best 12-year-old in each area and nurture them through to the age of 16 when the best talent will be identified and fast-tracked into the regional squads, hopefully within two years.

And if the WRU and the regions work together on the concept in the way it is hoped, it will mark a new spirit of co-operation after years of battles between the governing body and clubs.

Not since the Ray Williams revolution of the late 60s and early 70s has there been such a forward-thinking blueprint focusing on the way players are brought through from youth to the top echelons.